There are many ways to achieve a healthy flush on the cheeks. My favorite product to get that natural glow, however, is cream blush! Cream blushes give a sort of wet finish to the cheeks, and looks like it's coming from the skin instead of sitting on top. They're also quicker to use than powder blushes since they need no more than fingers for a beautiful blended finish.

One of the latest cream blushes to hit the market is Benefit Fine One One (P1,700). This tri-colored blush in stick form gives a wonderful peachy-coral flush on skin with just a couple of swipes. It has Pink Champagne, Sheer Watermelon, and Soft Coral shades in one tube to give the cheeks some "lift, shape, and pop". I quite agree with this. The well-chosen combination of colors and textures does give cheeks a sort of dimensional look, as if they're plumper (not chubby!) and healthier.

I also love how it makes my skin look brighter. Pink Champagne is a pretty good highlighter by itself, reminiscent of my fave Benefit Watt's Up! (read the review for a mini-tutorial on how to apply a cream highlighter). 

Rouge is one of the first types of makeup ever. From as far back as ancient Egypt when men, women, and children painted their lips and cheeks red to the roaring 20s when color on the face symbolized women's emancipation, rouge has been a staple in every makeup kit. Fortunately, we live in the 21st century so we don't have to worry about lead and mercury poisoning from our pots/tubes of rouge. :P

That said, one product has found a permanent space in my bag: the Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Pale Pink (P1,500)!

I love this because it's extremely easy to use. Fingers and one minute is all you need with this to get perfect lips and cheeks! I have tried other cream blushes before but this one is probably the prettiest and most convenient of them all. Here's why!

What I love about the product

• It's easy to apply - with your clean fingers, dab it on the lips then pat it on the apples of your cheeks. It doesn't dry up too quickly or leave streaks so you have time to blend it properly.
• Doesn't feel greasy or thick on the lips/cheeks. It does settle as a normal stain would. 

I love makeup - not just products per se but the whole process of painting it on. It's a calming and deeply satisfying activity for me, so I don't mind setting aside some time for it. However, I gotta admit that I have lazy days too. There are days when makeup is the last thing on my mind, so I turn to no-brainer products that take only seconds to put on perfectly.

My latest discovery under this department is the Shu Uemura Creamy Dome Blusher in Fairy Pink. It's a cream to powder blush that has a very soft finish, so you don't need to blend it much or even use any tools. Just swipe and go! It's a godsend for hectic and/or lazy makeup days because it takes only all of 10 seconds to wear this.

Fairy Prink is a peachy pink shade that's not too pigmented - it's just right. I usually swipe across my cheeks twice to get a natural pink flush.

I didn't like the Paul & Joe Creamy Cheek Powder in 03 (P1,000+) the first few times I used it. For starters, it's not even decently pigmented. It takes at least three layers for me to get the color I want. Also, the actual color is a whole world away from the one in the pan! I also had difficulty applying it as no brush will pick it up properly and apply it evenly; I have to use my fingers.

I eventually grew to like it though. After all, it gives my cheeks a gorgeous peach/coral blush that stays on for at least five hours. It's also not sticky, plus it has a really nice citrusy scent.

Of course, I can't not mention the beautiful packaging. As usual, this Paul & Joe product is housed in a cute plastic case that reflects gold shimmer and features a floral design on top.